7 December 2012 - At a press event today at Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Executive Director Yury Fedotov stressed the importance of a national anti-corruption strategy and the work done by KPK. Praising the country's efforts and the commitment of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to independent anti-corruption agencies, Mr. Fedotov offered UNODC's support to Indonesia to fight transnational crime and corruption, particularly as they relate to environmental crime.

"UNODC and our partners are ready to continue the excellent working relationship we have established with the KPK and we will continue to support the national efforts in corruption prevention and eradication," said Mr. Fedotov. "UNODC recognizes KPK's work in devising and implementing the National Strategy on Corruption Prevention and Eradication. We reaffirm UNODC's commitment to supporting KPK's strategic plan," he added.

Mr. Fedotov highlighted in particular UNODC Indonesia's pioneering work on supporting Government efforts to combat emerging threats such as corruption, illicit drugs, transnational organized crime, and wildlife, forest and environmental crimes. In particular, Mr. Fedotov stressed the unwelcome links between corruption, the criminal justice system and forest crimes.

Mr. Fedotov made his comments during a Q & A with reporters at a joint session with KPK Chairman Commissioner, Mr. Abraham Samad. The session, Challenges and Opportunities in Tackling Corruption in Indonesia, was held at KPK to promote activities planned throughout Indonesia for World Anti-Corruption Day, on Sunday 9 December.

The KPK event took place during the second day of Mr. Fedotov's four-day mission to Indonesia, the concluding leg of his five-country, 12-day inaugural visit to Southeast Asia to engage both with government counterparts and civil society partners. Prior to Indonesia, Mr. Fedotov visited Thailand, Myanmar, Viet Nam and Lao PDR where he exchanged view with regional leaders on the human security challenges facing the region and how the United Nations could respond better.

Indonesia is a critical regional hub and is consequently home to the largest single UNODC country programme in the region. The UNODC programme in Indonesia provides support to anti-corruption efforts by the Supreme Court, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), the criminal justice system and law enforcement generally. It also involves civil society mobilization to better combat emerging threats such as corruption and linked deforestation.

"Transnational organized criminal syndicates operating in Indonesia and the region play a role in illicit resource extraction - like protected natural resources, timber, fish and other wildlife - and crimes which harm the environment. They are a threat to public health and society's well-being", said Mr. Fedotov in separate meetings with Government officials.

Since his arrival in Jakarta on 6 December, Mr. Fedotov has met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. R.M. Marty Natalegawa, the Minister of Health, Dr. Nafsiah Mboi, the Vice Minister of the National Development Planning Agency (BAPPENAS), Dr. Ir. Lukita Dinarsyah Tuwo, and other key Government officials, such as Mr. Gories Mere, the head of the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), and Police General Timur Pradopo, the Chief of the Indonesian National Police.

In his meetings, Mr. Fedotov emphasized that UNODC, in partnership with the Indonesian government, is dedicated to strengthening the rule of law and improving the capacity of anti-corruption institutions, fighting transnational organized crime, terrorism, implementing prison reform; and in particular, combating environmental crime, corruption, drug use and HIV.